WHEELING, W.Va. -- No. 19 Wheeling Jesuit used a strong second half to fend off Fairmont State, 88-82, at home on Wednesday night. Fairmont State struggled from the field for most of the night, managing just 36.5 percent from the floor (23-of-63) and 33.3 percent from behind the arc (11-of-33).

The Cardinals (15-3, 11-2 MEC) led by just a point at halftime following a layup by Jason Jolly as time expired in the first half. However, WJU slowly stretched the lead early in the second half as the Cardinals used a 22-10 run over a seven-minute span to gain its first double-digit lead of the evening at 59-49 with 11:04 left. WJU would lead by as many as 14 at 71-57 with just 4:53 left.

Fairmont State (14-5, 10-3 MEC) kept fighting until the final horn, though, responding with a 16-6 run to make it just a four-point margin at 77-73 with 1:17 to go. However, Wheeling Jesuit was able to get its top free throw shooter at the line down the stretch, as Preston Boswell sank all eight of his free throw attempts in the final minutes to help secure the win for the Cardinals. 
 
Jolly led all Fairmont State scorers with 24 points, despite shooting just 4-of-15 from the field and 3-of-11 from behind the arc. Jolly sank all 13 of his free throw attempts on the evening. The Falcons also got 12 points from Vonte Montgoemry, 11 from Andrew Emrick and 10 from Caleb Davis. D'Ondre Stockman also chipped in nine and R.J. Hutcherson totaled seven points to go with eight rebounds in the game.
 
Fairmont State had a solid evening from the free throw line, knocking down 25-of-30 attempts.

Boswell finished the game going 16-for-16 from the free throw line and totaled 26 points to lead all scorers. Haywood Highsmith added another double-double to his season total with 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Pat Moseh filled the box score with 19 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
 
WJU managed just 3-of-12 from behind the arc in the win, including a dismal 0-of-7 performance in the opening 20 minutes of play. The Cardinals shot 40 free throws in the win, sinking 31.

Fairmont State will now prepare for a showdown with No. 1-ranked and unbeaten West Liberty on Sunday evening at 5 p.m. at Joe Retton Arena. The game will be televised locally on AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh.